NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SCO member states discuss scientific and technical cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    CHENGDU, June 14 (Xinhua) — Representatives of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) attended the 9th Meeting of Heads of Ministries and Departments of Science and Technology of the SCO, where issues of scientific and technical cooperation were discussed.

    The event, held on Thursday in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, reviewed the organization’s plans for cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, discussed progress in multilateral research projects, and exchanged views on measures to develop science and technology in the SCO countries and their initiatives to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation.

    Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said that SCO member states, by constantly strengthening cooperation in the field of scientific and technological innovation, make a significant contribution to ensuring peace, stability and development in the region.

    Yin Hejun called the ministerial meeting “an important platform for strengthening cooperation mechanisms and jointly responding to challenges in global scientific and technological governance.” According to him, the Chinese side hopes to jointly advance practical cooperation for sustainable socio-economic development and improving people’s well-being in the SCO member states.

    The participants of the meeting agreed to hold the next, jubilee 10th meeting in Kyrgyzstan in 2026. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks, Frankel, Shaheen, Schatz Statement on Recissions Package Cuts to Foreign Assistance

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Lois Frankel (D-FL), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State and Related Programs, and U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, released the following statement concerning the rescissions package sent to Congress by the Trump administration, which would cut $8.3 billion in foreign assistance, including $900 million in cuts to global health programs, as well as cuts to democracy assistance, economic and development assistance, and economic and energy support for Ukraine and other states affected by Russia’s illegal invasion.

    “The cuts to U.S. foreign assistance in the White House’s rescissions package undercut key American national security interests and risk our country’s safety and prosperity. Our soft power toolkit helps prevent conflict and promote democracy and stability. The draconian DOGE cuts that President Trump and Elon Musk have put in place have been justified through misleading claims that ignore the harm to America and global death toll that have resulted from their actions. Their claims about fiscal responsibility are laughable in the context of President Trump’s push at all costs to pass a budget that adds $2.4 trillion in deficits while stripping millions of Americans of their health care.

    “When America retreats from the world, China and Russia advance. And when our adversaries take our place, America is weaker and more vulnerable. Our manufacturers and workers get boxed out of export markets by unfair economic competition from China. And vulnerable populations around the world, suffer from severely restricting access to HIV treatment and prevention services to forcing food ration cuts in refugee camps.

    “That is the legacy of DOGE’s impact on America’s foreign policy infrastructure and soft power. Our country in retreat in the face of great power adversaries. Our global influence diminished. And the poorest of the poor globally being left to die because of slipshod cuts by tech dilettantes.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Another trial project on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Another trial project on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel 
    The said project concerns an application jointly submitted by the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and Chi Shing New Energy Technology Co., Limited, involving provision of electricity with hydrogen power generation equipment to support the operation of electrical equipment at a recreation facility of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Fan Kam Road, Fanling, for the golf event of the 15th National Games to be held in November.
     
    The spokesperson of the EEB stated, “The Working Group has promptly initiated the examination process upon receipt of detailed information of the trial project. After seeking members’ agreement through circulation, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle to the application on June 13.”
     
    To date, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle in stages to a total of 27 applications of hydrogen energy trial projects. The Working Group will continue to make reference to the operational data and experience collected from the trials to provide advice for the continuous enhancement of the safety and technical guidelines on the local application of hydrogen energy. Details are set out in the thematic webpage (cnsd.gov.hk/en/inter-departmental-working-group-on-using-hydrogen-as-fuel/ 
    The Working Group is formed by the EEB, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Marine Department, the Planning Department, the Lands Department, the Buildings Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Labour Department.  
    Issued at HKT 11:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cohen Says Rescissions Bill is “Good for Russia, China and Undertakers”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today spoke from the House floor and then voted against the $9.4 billion rescissions bill that cuts already Congressionally appropriated money for public broadcasting (PBS and NPR) and foreign aid, including support for poor children through UNICEF.

    In his floor remarks during debate on the bill, Congressman Cohen responded to Republican members who had made false claims, and said in part:

    “There will be people who will die. This bill is good for Russia and China and undertakers because it’s going to have people dying. Bill Gates says this is the richest man in the world – Musk – taking advantage of, and killing, the poorest children in the world. They’re not going to be getting the PEPFAR program created by George Bush. They’re not going to get the sustenance they need that’s rotting in ships right now. Don’t end it; mend it. This is a terrible bill. This is Musk’s bill on drugs.”

    See the floor remarks here.

    The measure passed on a vote of 214 to 212.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise Highlights America First Rescissions Package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House floor before the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025, which codifies President Trump’s DOGE cuts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse from federal overspending. Leader Scalise emphasized that Democrats’ ‘no’ vote is a vote to prioritize far-left foreign programs over lowering inflation, paying down our debt, and strengthening social services for Americans.

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
    Leader Scalise’s remarks:“I thank my friend, our conference chair, Ms. McClain, for managing this time on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, a lot of people come up here and they talk about trying to get America’s fiscal house in order, about the idea of getting back to balanced federal budgets. I don’t know many people here who are against it. I know when we later in this Congress put a bill on the floor to require a balanced federal budget, there will be many Democrats, Mr. Speaker, who will vote no on that, because when it comes time to actually put your votes on the board to back up the principles that most Americans relish, they walk away. They won’t be there when it actually matters. Everybody could talk about cutting wasteful spending. Even if you don’t necessarily agree that it’s wasteful spending, and what we’re bringing today is wasteful spending, but even if you think, ‘Okay, might not be as bad as some other things you don’t agree with,’ we all have to agree, Mr. Speaker, that as we just saw a few weeks ago, Moody’s downgraded the credit rating of the United States. Wasn’t a recommendation, Mr. Speaker. Wasn’t a warning that, gee whiz, if you folks don’t get your fiscal house in order, this might happen. They actually did it. They downgraded the credit rating in the United States because spending has to get under control. The party over there that spent the last four years under President Biden spending like drunken sailors, and all due respect to drunken sailors, because they don’t spend this bad. But the trillions of dollars of debt that were racked up had consequences, Mr. Speaker. “It had consequences not only in terms of our national debt, it affected the pocketbooks of families all across America because that spending, bloated spending in Washington, money we don’t have, by the way, increased inflation to the point where people couldn’t even go to the grocery store to fill up their carts. They couldn’t afford to go to the gas station to fill up their cars. They couldn’t afford to take out a loan to buy a house because interest rates had gotten so high that today we’re spending more money servicing our interest than we are on America’s national debt. These are all real, dramatic facts that concern most Americans. They say, thank goodness, Congress is finally bringing a bill to the floor to start cutting some spending that aren’t priorities. Call it wasteful if you want, call it whatever you want, but these aren’t things that we can afford to spend, even if you agree with them. Because it’s not money we have in the bank. It’s all borrowed money, Mr. Speaker. And so, where did we start? “Well, the White House laid out a number of things. They looked at that USAID program – they didn’t gut the whole thing, but they said there are a number of things that are being done that just don’t represent the values of the United States. And are being done in foreign countries while we don’t have our fiscal house in order here in America. So, how about we start there? I know the Democrats on the other side are acting like, ‘Oh, my God, the world’s going to stop spinning on its axis if this spending goes away.’ So why don’t we talk about some of the spending that will go away? Again, borrowed money, not money we just took out of the bank, money we borrowed from countries like China to spend on that is a debt to our kids. Each one of these I list, Mr. Speaker, you should ask, if you vote ‘yes,’ you’re finally relieving that debt burden. But if you vote ‘no,’ you think it’s okay to send this bill to our kids. “We’re not paying for it today, Mr. Speaker, but our kids would if we keep doing it. If the other side votes ‘no,’ they want to keep borrowing money from our children to spend a million dollars on voter ID in Haiti. The same party that doesn’t want voter ID in America – calls it racist – wants to fund voter ID in Haiti. $6 million for net-zero cities in Mexico. I know some of their best supporters are waving a Mexican flag at an American city right now, and they support those efforts. Most Americans don’t, Mr. Speaker. “$3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street. The minority leader held up a Sesame Street character here on the floor as if Sesame Street somehow is going to go away. I was just watching a commercial on TV yesterday where the Cookie Monster was actually doing an advertisement for Netflix because a private company is paying money to run Sesame Street. It’s not going away. It’s doing just fine. Very lucrative. What will go away is some of the far-left radical views that are being espoused. By the way, when this goes away at NPR, you can still turn on about six or seven other channels and get the same far-left radical views, but they’re all going to be private companies, Mr. Speaker, not taxpayer-funded entities. If somebody wants to pay money to go on one of their services that they stream or get over the top, or however they get their digital content, they can still do that.And there are a lot of options. Never been more options. Some people joke that they buy their services for their cable or whatever else they get, and that there’s 200 channels, and they might only watch four or five of them. There is still going to be a plethora of options for the American people. But if they’re paying their hard-earned dollars to go get content, why should your tax dollars go to only one thing that the other side wants to promote? Let everybody compete on a fair basis. They can still watch Sesame Street in Iraq, but let the Iraqi people pay for it, not the taxpayers of the United States of America’s children. “Today’s taxpayers aren’t paying for it because it’s all borrowed money. $2.1 million for climate resilience in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and East Africa. Five hundred thousand for electric buses in Rwanda. Rwanda is more than free to go buy all the electric buses they want or diesel buses. Why should the taxpayers of America be borrowing money from our children to buy electric buses for Rwanda? $33,000 for being LGBTQI in the Caribbean. Taxpayer money that a ‘no’ vote today says is more important than strengthening a program like Social Security. I say not. $643,000 for LGBTQI+ programs in the Western Balkans. Borrowed money. $567,000, Mr. Speaker, for LGBTQI+ programs in Uganda. $5.1 million to strengthen the ‘resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer global movement.’ Not sure what that global movement is. They can continue that movement in some other way, but just not with the taxpayer dollars of the United States of America’s children. Again, there’s no bank account that $5.1 million came out of. It’s all borrowed money that a ‘no’ vote says is more important than strengthening Social Security. $135 million in contributions to the World Health Organization, which we all saw during COVID, was the mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party. I would imagine if we stopped this $135 million funding, the CCP may pick it up because they were regurgitating their talking points during COVID. “At some point, Mr. Speaker, the question we’ve all got to answer is, number one, do you believe in fiscal responsibility? Maybe some people have other priorities than these they’d like to defund. But if you think these are all things that are worth borrowing money from our children to fund, then that’s what the ‘no’ vote represents. If you think it’s time we start somewhere, here’s the place to start, not to finish, just the beginning, to finally start getting control over spending and respecting those families who are working hard, who are working two shifts at the diner to pay taxes on tips that will soon go away if our One Big Beautiful Bill passes. Or somebody who’s working overtime because you want to send your kid to college, and you find out this is where your taxpayer dollars are going, and you’re disgusted and say, ‘When will somebody do something about it?’ Today’s the day to do something about it. Talk is cheap. Put the action on the floor. Let’s finally get control over spending in a small way. Start a bigger picture towards a balanced budget, but it starts here. Vote yes, get this done, and let’s keep moving forward to strengthen this great country. With that, I urge a yes vote and yield back, Mr. Speaker.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Craig, Van Drew Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Critical Medication Shortages and Reduce American Reliance on Chinese Manufacturing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen domestic medication supply chains and reduce American reliance on China for critical medications.  

    The bipartisan Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug Reserve (RAPID Reserve) Act would encourage the domestic production of critical medications and incentivize American-based manufacturers to increase their reserves of these medications to prepare for future public health threats and supply chain challenges. 

    Currently, nearly 80% of the manufacturing facilities that produce critical pharmaceutical ingredients are located outside the United States. 

    “Manufacturing critical medications here in America will strengthen our domestic supply chains, create good-paying jobs and most importantly, get life-saving medications into the hands of Minnesotans,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to be reintroducing this common-sense, bipartisan legislation with Rep. Van Drew – because manufacturing pharmaceuticals here at home instead of in China is a no-brainer.”  

    “I am proud to be a part of this bill because it just makes sense,” said Rep. Van Drew. “The RAPID Reserve Act is about making sure we are not relying on China for the medicine we need. We should be making these critical drugs here in America, creating jobs, and keeping our country safe. It is common sense, and it is long overdue.”

    U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Ted Budd (R-MO) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

    The bill is endorsed by the Association for Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Healthcare Distribution Alliance and Phlow Corp.

    You can read the text of the RAPID Reserve Acthere.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Typhoon Wutip makes landfall in China’s Hainan Province

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    HAIKOU, June 14 (Xinhua) — Typhoon Wutip (Butterfly), the first to hit the island this year, made landfall near Dongfang city in south China’s Hainan Province at around 11 p.m. on Friday, the provincial meteorological office said.

    At the time of the typhoon’s arrival on the coastline, “Wutip” weakened to the level of a strong tropical storm. The maximum wind speed near its epicenter reached 11 points /30 m per second/, and the minimum pressure at the epicenter was 980 hPa. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Unmanned aerial vehicle troops created in Belarus

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    MINSK, June 14 /Xinhua/ — Unmanned aerial vehicle troops have been created in Belarus. This was announced on Friday by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus Pavel Muraveiko. The corresponding information was published by the press service of the Defense Ministry of Belarus on the same day.

    “Currently, unmanned aerial vehicle troops have been created as an independent component of the special forces of the Armed Forces within the general structure,” P. Muraveiko noted in his report to the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during his visit to the 927th center for the training and use of unmanned aerial vehicles.

    According to him, these troops are tasked with conducting aerial reconnaissance, inflicting fire damage on the enemy, guiding and adjusting fire, and performing support functions in the interests of other special forces. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian President holds telephone conversations with Iranian President and Israeli Prime Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Moscow, June 14 /Xinhua/ — In light of the dangerous escalation of the situation as a result of Israel’s military action against Iran, Russian President Vladimir Putin held telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday. The corresponding information was published by the press service of the Russian head of state on the same day.

    The Russian President expressed his condolences to the leadership and people of Iran in connection with the numerous human casualties, including civilians, as a result of Israeli strikes.

    V. Putin emphasized that Russia condemns Israel’s actions, which violate the UN Charter and international law. The Russian side has fully supported efforts to resolve the situation around the Iranian nuclear program peacefully and has put forward specific initiatives aimed at finding mutually acceptable agreements. Russia will continue to contribute to the de-escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel.

    In a conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister, the Russian President emphasized the importance of returning to the negotiation process and resolving all issues related to the Iranian nuclear program exclusively through political and diplomatic means. Readiness to provide mediation services was also expressed in order to prevent further escalation of tensions.

    It was agreed that the Russian side will continue close contacts with the leadership of both Iran and Israel, aimed at resolving the current situation, which is fraught with the most disastrous consequences for the entire region. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Green development and cultural tourism drive growth in Chongqing

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Green development and cultural tourism drive growth in Chongqing

    Updated: June 14, 2025 08:35 Xinhua
    Tourists take a boat to enjoy the scenery at the Wushan section of the Yangtze River in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, June 11, 2025. In recent years, Wushan, Fengjie, and other areas in the Three Gorges Reservoir region in Chongqing have adhered to the principle of green development. While consolidating the ecological strength in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, local authorities have fully leveraged the unique terrain, magnificent landscapes, and rich historical and cultural heritage to promote the development of cultural tourism, effectively boosting local economic and social development. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows a view of the ancient town of Baidi in Fengjie County, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, June 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows a cruise ship sailing in Wuxia Gorge, one of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, June 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows cruise ships sailing at the Wushan section of the Yangtze River in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, June 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China will continue being an important driving force for global connectivity: foreign ministry

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China will continue being an important driving force for global connectivity: foreign ministry

    BEIJING, June 13 — China will continue to act as an important driving force for global connectivity, a Chinese spokesperson said on Friday.

    To date, China-Europe Railway Express routes have been launched in 128 cities in China, reaching 229 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, epitomizing connectivity cooperation between China and the world, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing.

    He made the remarks when asked to comment on the view that the China-Europe Railway Express has become an “accelerator” for economic and trade cooperation among the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

    Lin said that the China-Europe Railway Express — a signature outcome of the BRI, with freight trains departing every 30 minutes or less — operates in an efficient, smooth and stable manner, not only bridging economic and trade exchange between Asia and Europe, but also becoming a force for growth in BRI countries.

    The China-Laos Railway and the new western land-sea corridor train service are operating smoothly, and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is under construction. These are examples of how new logistics routes are enhancing the efficiency of cross-border logistics, enabling increased personnel and trade exchange, deepening industrial coordination and value chain integration, driving industrial transformation and upgrading in those countries and bringing a tangible sense of gain to locals, Lin said.

    “Connectivity is one of the key cooperation areas of the BRI,” Lin added, noting that China will uphold the principles of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, continue to act as an important driving force for global connectivity, benefit the world through its own development, and achieve win-win outcomes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Messi fit as injuries weigh on Inter Miami before Club World Cup

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Veteran defender Jordi Alba has been ruled out of Inter Miami’s opening FIFA Club World Cup clash against Al Ahly due to a leg muscle injury, head coach Javier Mascherano said on Friday.

    The Major League Soccer club will also be without Italian midfielder Yannick Bright and Argentine defender Gonzalo Lujan for Saturday’s tournament curtain-raiser at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

    “They won’t be available for this match but we hope that, for the second game [against Porto], one or two of them could return,” Mascherano told a news conference.

    Mascherano bemoaned his team’s mounting injury list, but expressed confidence that his squad’s younger players could provide cover.

    “We have unfortunately had a lot of injuries in the last 20 days, which clearly has weakened us as a group, but not as a team,” the former Liverpool and Barcelona player said.

    “We’ve shown throughout the season that we have players ready to step up and that puts us much more at ease.”

    While Inter Miami qualified for the Club World Cup by clinching the Supporters’ Shield for the best overall record in the 2024 MLS season, Al Ahly secured its spot as winners of the 2020-21, 2022-23, and 2023-24 CAF Champions League.

    Mascherano said his team would not underestimate the Egyptian club, which last month appointed Spaniard Jose Riveiro as head coach, replacing Marcel Koller.

    “Al Ahly is one of the biggest teams in Africa,” the Argentine said. “It’s a team that wins in its league with certain regularity and comfort.

    “They’ve had five or six signings for this tournament, which is something that we haven’t done, and they changed their head coach a short while ago. But we don’t think they will change the way they play. They have a clear style and they are physical. And we know that they have some very good players, especially in the middle of the pitch and in attack.”

    Mascherano also pointed to the strong form and physical condition of captain Lionel Messi, expressing optimism about the Argentine’s impact in the tournament.

    “He’s been in great shape this season,” Mascherano said. “We’ve rested him at times, but he’s played 15 of the last 16 games, only missing the match against Dallas when we rested the whole team.

    “Now it’s our responsibility to create the ideal environment for him to shine.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: 23andMe

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    Q: Why did you convene a Judiciary Committee hearing about 23andMe?

    A: More than 15 million Americans are customers of 23andMe, a genetic testing company whose services include analyzing one’s DNA to provide ancestry information and insights on inherited genes that may reveal predispositions for certain health conditions, including some cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Customers submit a saliva sample to begin the direct-to-consumer genetic testing service. Earlier this year, 23andMe filed for bankruptcy, opening a can of worms exposing consumer privacy and national security implications. Because 23andMe is not a health care company, federal health privacy laws don’t apply to customers’ sensitive genetic data. Even though the company suggests that its privacy policy protects consumers’ data, 23andMe and its successor company can unilaterally change that privacy policy at any time. So, the potential sale of the company raises serious concerns about genetic privacy and what happens to that information, including the genomic profile and saliva specimen of each customer. Since its founding in 2006, the company that was once valued at $6 billion has suffered financial hardship, due in part to a massive data breach impacting millions of customers.

    As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over bankruptcy and certain privacy laws, I called a hearing to gather testimony from the head of the company, as well as bioethics, bankruptcy and national security experts. Consumers deserve to know how their genomic data is going to be used, and Americans deserve protection from foreign threats. As the company seeks court approval to sell its assets in the bankruptcy process, 23andMe, its creditors and shareholders want the highest price for the sale of the company. Make no mistake, potential buyers are after the genetic data of 15 million customers. The fewer restrictions there are on the company’s assets, the more they’re worth. Just consider if this sensitive information should get into the hands of a foreign adversary or potentially be used against an individual as blackmail or when applying for life insurance, health insurance or employment. Before the genetic information of Americans is sold, they ought to be able to decide whether, when and how their data is used. What’s more, the data privacy issues reach far beyond the 15 million Americans who submitted their saliva for genetic analysis. The genomic data would span across family tree lines, meaning the trove of data being mined would involve an exponentially larger pool of people. That’s why it’s imperative this sensitive information doesn’t get into the hands of bad actors.

    Q: What’s your takeaway from the witness testimony?

    A: During my questioning, I focused on the vulnerabilities to national security, particularly stemming from China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is pursuing aggressive development of AI, biotech and computing to conduct mass surveillance, boost its military capabilities and dominate the bioeconomy. We heard about the CCP’s use of genetic tests to track, target and oppress Uyghur Muslims and how 23andMe’s American customer base would provide a genetic diversity trove of data that could be an attractive target for the CCP. They should never be allowed to get their hands on it. Considering strong evidence showing COVID-19 was created in a Chinese lab, as well as Chinese nationals smuggling dangerous biological pathogens into the United States just this past month, the  weaponization of biologics and military application of genomic data are no longer far-fetched fantasies of science fiction. American genetic data must be protected.

    Currently, no federal privacy or bankruptcy laws protect genomic data. I’m cosponsoring the bipartisan Don’t Sell My DNA Act to protect sensitive genetic data during corporate bankruptcy proceedings. Notably, it would require affirmative consumer consent prior to the use, sale or lease of genetic information. Policymakers must take steps to safeguard consumer privacy and prevent foreign adversaries and bad actors from obtaining sensitive genetic information. As an outspoken watchdog in the U.S. Senate to hold China accountable for its intellectual property and espionage policies, I’ve long worked to screen its foreign investments, combat the CCP’s influence at U.S. colleges and protect U.S. farmland. I’ll continue working to advance policies that safeguard the sensitive genetic data of Americans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aetherium Acquisition Corp. Announces Change of Special Meeting Date

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWICH, Conn., June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aetherium Acquisition (the “SPAC” or the “Company”), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company, today announced that its Special Meeting (“Meeting”), previously scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on June 13, 2025, has been postponed to 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on June 27, 2025, and the redemption right deadline has been postponed to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 25, 2025.

    The record date for the Meeting remains May 9, 2025. No changes have been made to the proposals to be voted on by shareholders at the Meeting. Shareholders of the Company who have previously submitted their proxy and who do not want to change their vote do not need to take any action.

    On May 23, 2025, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and on June 3, 2025, the Company filed a revised definitive proxy statement with the SEC, each in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. Before making any voting decision, investors and shareholders of the company are urged to read the definitive proxy statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and other documents the company files with the sec carefully in their entirety when they become available as they will contain important information. Investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and other documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

    About Aetherium Acquisition Corp.

    Aetherium Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company formed to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular business, industry sector, or geographical region. However, it intends to focus on companies in Asia (excluding China).

    Forward-looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to Aetherium’s pursuit of an alternative business combination. No assurance can be given that Aetherium will successfully seek and consummate such an alternative business combination. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of Aetherium, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of Aetherium’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Aetherium undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release except as required by law.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    The Company and its directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of the Company in connection with the Meeting. Investors and shareholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of the Company’s directors and officers in the Proxy Statement, which may be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Meeting proposals. This communication shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

    Contact:

    For investors: 
    Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Media
    +1 (646) 652-7185
    crocker.coulson@aummedia.org;
    Info@aetheriumcapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace USA Slams U.S. Seabed Mining Plans off American Samoa

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Victor Pickering, a Greenpeace International activist from Fiji displays a banner reading “Our Pacific Is Not Yours To Destroy” in front of the Maersk Launcher, a ship chartered by DeepGreen, one of the companies spearheading the drive to mine the barely understood deep sea ecosystem. The Rainbow Warrior is in the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific to bear witness to the deep sea mining industry. Part of the ongoing ‘Protect the Oceans’ campaign.
    © Marten van Dijl / Greenpeace

    Washington, D.C. (June 13, 2025) — In response to the Department of the Interior’s announcement yesterday of the publication of a Request for Information and Interest to explore the potential for seabed mineral leasing offshore American Samoa, Arlo Hemphill, Greenpeace USA’s Deep Sea Mining Campaign Lead, said: “Greenpeace USA is deeply disappointed that the Department of Interior is considering seabed mineral leasing near American Samoa — a U.S.territory that has placed a moratorium on the industry in its waters. This move disregards the sovereignty and voices of Pacific communities and opens the door to an industry that threatens their environment, culture, and livelihoods. 

    “The Pacific is not a sacrifice zone. Its people should not be forced to host a destructive industry they’ve clearly rejected. We urge the American public to stand in solidarity with those communities and send a resounding message during the public comment period: the deep sea is not for sale.” 

    This announcement follows President Trump’s executive order advancing deep sea mining in both U.S. and international waters — a move widely condemned by environmental organizations, Pacific Indigenous leaders, and other nations, including France, China, and the European Commission. Deep sea mining company, Impossible Metals, submitted a request to commence a leasing process for the exploration and potential mining of critical minerals in the deep sea off the coast of American Samoa in April. 

    Deep sea mining poses irreversible threats to biodiversity, imperils fragile ecosystems, and could have unforeseen impacts on the ocean’s carbon cycle, potentially impacting the climate crisis.

    Despite U.S. backpedaling, momentum for ocean protection continues to grow. As of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, which concluded today in Nice, 37 countries have now publicly supported a moratorium on deep sea mining. There has also been significant progress toward ratifying the Global Ocean Treaty, a key agreement towards the goal of protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 — a critical threshold scientists say is needed to restore marine health and safeguard biodiversity.

    To meet this target, protection must extend across both national and international waters. Countries must not only ratify the Global Ocean Treaty, but also take bold domestic action to ban unsustainable extractive industries, such as deep sea mining, and ensure that local and Indigenous communities are at the center of marine conservation planning and decision-making processes.

    Contact: Tanya Brooks, Senior Communications Specialist at Greenpeace USA, [email protected]  

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO members discuss sci-tech cooperation

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    CHENGDU, June 13 — Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed sci-tech collaboration during a meeting in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, on Thursday.

    During the ninth science ministers’ meeting of the SCO, science ministers and other representatives of SCO member states reviewed the organization’s innovation cooperation plans and discussed progress in multilateral research projects. They exchanged views on national sci-tech development policies and cooperative initiatives.

    Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said that SCO members have continuously strengthened cooperation on sci-tech innovation, making great contributions to regional peace, stability and development.

    Yin described the ministerial meeting as a key platform to strengthen cooperation mechanisms and jointly address global sci-tech governance issues. He expressed China’s hopes to advance practical cooperation for sustainable development and improve public welfare across SCO member states.

    The participants agreed to hold the 10th SCO science ministers’ meeting in Kyrgyzstan in 2026.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Revised edition of Chen Yun’s works published to mark 120th birth anniversary

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 13 — A revised three-volume collection of works by Chen Yun has been published to mark the 120th birth anniversary of the veteran Chinese leader.

    The new edition, which expands upon the original collection of Chen’s works published in June 2005, features 401 works by Chen between October 1935 and October 1986, totaling about 1.36 million Chinese characters.

    Significant updates include the addition of 15 previously uncollected writings, six of which are being made publicly available for the first time.

    Chen was born in 1905 and joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1925. He died of illness in 1995 at the age of 90. He was recognized as a great proletarian revolutionary and statesman, and as one of the founding figures of the country’s socialist economy.

    He was a key member of both the Party’s first generation of central collective leadership with Mao Zedong at the core and the second generation of central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping at the core.

    Compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, the new collection has been published by the Central Party Literature Press.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: We Are Unleashing America’s Energy Dominance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – On Friday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) applauded the announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish required Renewable Fuel Standard (RSF) volumes and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027, as well as to partially waive the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement and revise the associated percentage standard due to a shortfall in cellulosic biofuel production. 
    This will fulfill the Trump Administration’s goal of strengthening support for American farmers and biofuel producers in rural communities. While also eliminating the electric vehicle mandate by removing electricity as an eligible pathway under the RFS (e-RINS). Additionally, foreign feedstocks from countries like Brazil and China will no longer be infringing on American commodity markets, as this rule mandates that biofuels generated using foreign feedstocks will generate only 50% of the value of the incentive given to biofuel producers who use them.
    “Today’s announcement from President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin delivers on a promise to put American farmers first, while reducing our reliance on foreign energy sources to strengthen domestic agriculture and energy production,” said Senator Marshall “Renewable fuels deliver cleaner and more affordable fuel at the pump, as well as long-term profitability for our farmers and rural communities. This is a huge win for rural America and the future of our energy sector. Thanks to President Trump for not only removing the disastrous Biden EV mandates but also supporting our hard-working farmers and ranchers. Once again, Promises Made, Promises Kept.”
    Background:

    The EPA released an announcement today that sets the proposed volume obligation for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) at 5.61 billion gallons by 2026 and 5.86 billion gallons in 2027, the highest renewable volume obligation (RVO) ever announced.
    Senator Marshall raised concerns about foreign imports in our biomass-fuel supply last year to the Biden Administration.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Tribunal Initiates Inquiry—Thermal Paper Rolls from China

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Ottawa, Ontario, June 13, 2025—The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated a preliminary injury inquiry into a complaint by McDermid Paper Converters Limited of Markham, Ontario, Media Cash Register Inc. of Saint‑Laurent, Québec, and Custom Paper Ltd. of Richmond, British Columbia, that they have suffered injury as a result of the dumping and subsidizing of thermal paper rolls from China. The Tribunal’s inquiry is conducted pursuant to the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) as a result of the initiation of dumping and subsidizing investigations by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

    On August 11, 2025, the Tribunal will determine whether there is a reasonable indication that the alleged dumping and subsidizing have caused injury or retardation, or are threatening to cause injury, as these words are defined in SIMA. If so, the CBSA will continue its investigations and, by September 10, 2025, will make preliminary determinations. If these preliminary determinations indicate that there has been dumping or subsidizing, the CBSA will then continue its investigations and, concurrently, the Tribunal will initiate a final injury inquiry.

    The Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides advice on other economic, trade and tariff matters.

    Any interested person, association or government that wishes to participate in the Tribunal’s inquiry may do so by filing a Form I–Notice of Participation.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: ACM Research to Participate at the 15th Annual ROTH London Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACM Research, Inc. (“ACM”) (NASDAQ: ACMR), a leading supplier of wafer processing solutions for semiconductor and advanced packaging applications, today announced its participation in the 15th Annual ROTH London Conference at Park Lane, Hamilton Place, London on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

    Management will be available for one-on-one and small group meetings with institutional investors throughout the day. For more information about the conference or to request a one-on-one meeting, please contact a Roth sales representative.

    About ACM Research, Inc.

    ACM develops, manufactures and sells semiconductor process equipment spanning cleaning, electroplating, stress-free polishing, vertical furnace processes, track, PECVD, and wafer- and panel-level packaging tools, enabling advanced and semi-critical semiconductor device manufacturing. ACM is committed to delivering customized, high-performance, cost-effective process solutions that semiconductor manufacturers can use in numerous manufacturing steps to improve productivity and product yield. For more information, visit www.acmr.com.

    © ACM Research, Inc. The ACM Research logo is a trademark of ACM Research, Inc. For convenience, this trademark appears in this press release without a ™ symbol, but that practice does not mean that ACM will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to such trademark.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In the United States:   The Blueshirt Group
        Steven C. Pelayo, CFA
        +1 (360) 808-5154
        steven@blueshirtgroup.co
         
    In China:   The Blueshirt Group Asia
        Gary Dvorchak, CFA
        gary@blueshirtgroup.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Statement on Israel’s Attack on Iran

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 12, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Thursday released the following statement:
    “Israel’s attack on Iran, clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administration’s negotiations with Iran, risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America and is further evidence of how little respect world powers – including our own allies – have for President Trump. Iran would not be this close to possessing a nuclear weapon if Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu had not forced America out of the nuclear agreement with Iran that brought Europe, Russia, and China together behind the United States to successfully contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu’s own making, and now the region risks spiraling toward a new, deadly conflict. A war between Israel and Iran may be good for Netanyahu’s domestic politics, but it will likely be disastrous for both the security of Israel, the United States, and the rest of the region. As Secretary Rubio stated, the United States was not involved in today’s strikes, and we have no obligation to follow Israel into a war we did not ask for and will make us less safe.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: The WTO welcomes students to 23rd John H. Jackson Moot Court Finals

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition is a simulated hearing under the rules of the WTO dispute settlement system involving exchanges of written submissions and adversarial hearings before panelists on international trade law issues. The competition is organized by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA). The WTO has been a technical supporter of the competition since its inception in 2002.

    This year, 65 student teams from 35 WTO members competed in the Regional Rounds, including South and West Asia, East Asia and Oceania, Africa, the Americas (North, South, and the Caribbean), and Europe. Nineteen teams competed in the South and West Asia Round, 12 teams were represented in the East Asia and Oceania Round, 11 teams participated in the African Round, eight teams competed in the All-American Round, and 18 teams took part in the two European Regional Rounds. From these 65 teams, 24 qualified for the Final Oral Round, representing a wide global participation from 15 WTO members: Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  

    DDG Ellard opened the Final Oral Round and welcomed the students to the WTO on 10 June. In her opening remarks, DDG Ellard emphasized the importance of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition to capacity building by training students in international trade law, legal writing, and oral advocacy skills. DDG Ellard noted that her own experience participating in moot court as a law student showed her “the immense value of the experience you have embarked on in the development of knowledge, skills, and life-long friendships and connections.” DDG Ellard noted that Jackson Moot alumni can be found working in governments, academia, think tanks, law firms, and the WTO Secretariat.

    DDG Ellard congratulated Mr Marios Tokas of the Geneva Graduate Institute and Mr Panagiotis Kyriakou of the law firm Archipel, authors of this year’s moot problem. She noted that the topic of the case the students have been debating “demonstrates our challenge in addressing modern day problems — such as digital transfer of data, protection of consumer privacy, and regulation of competition (or anti-trust).” She drew the students’ attention to the ongoing work in the WTO on digital technologies and trade and e-commerce-related issues. “These efforts underscore the vision that even as trade evolves the rules-based approach with the WTO at its centre must continue to be the way forward with the economic rule of law,” she said.

    Noting that the international trade community supports the competition, DDG Ellard thanked all the sponsors and WTO staff members who contributed to the organization of the competition and wished teams the best of luck.

    The students also had the opportunity to meet DG Okonjo-Iweala on 13 June and heard from her how much the WTO looks forward to welcoming the students each year not only to the competition, but to the community of international trade law.

    During this week, teams are competing against each other before panels of WTO law experts. The grand final of the competition will take place on Saturday, 14 June, and will be livestreamed here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Azerbaijan to open official tourism office in China by end of year

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Baku, June 13 /Xinhua/ — Azerbaijan plans to open an official tourism office in China by the end of this year, Acting Head of the State Tourism Agency Office Kanan Guluzade told Report on Friday.

    According to him, the Chinese market is one of the priority areas for tourism development.

    “Technical and financial work is currently being completed, and the opening of an official tourism office in China is planned for the end of the year,” noted K. Guluzade.

    He also said that within the framework of the “China Ready” strategy, specialized guides for Chinese tourists, as well as adapted online platforms and printed materials are being prepared, which indicates Azerbaijan’s serious approach to the Chinese market. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Explosion thunders southeast of Iran’s capital – media

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) — An explosion was heard in the Pakdasht area southeast of the Iranian capital Tehran on Friday evening, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported, adding that the sound of the blast could have been caused by air defense systems at a military facility in Parchin.

    In addition, loud explosions were also recorded in the Malard and Shahriyar areas west of Tehran, according to Mehr. Their source has not yet been identified.

    At the same time, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported that Iranian air defense systems shot down an Israeli drone near the Fordow nuclear facility, located near the center of Qom. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Leads Colleagues to Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Critical Drug Supply Chains and Mitigate Shortages

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Ted Budd (R-NC) have reintroduced the bipartisan Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug (RAPID) Reserve Act to help increase supply chain resiliency for critical generic drugs and their key ingredients by bolstering supply reserves and domestic production capacity through federal contracts. The RAPID Reserve Act would help reduce drug shortages, enhance preparedness, and mitigate national security threats from U.S. overreliance on China for critical medications and their key ingredients.  

    Drug shortages are lasting longer and continue to impact patients, hospitals, and health care providers, increasing the risk of medication errors, rationing, and delays in patient care.  In a 2023 report, Peters found that at least 15 critical medications remained in shortage for over a decade.  Many of the life-saving generic drug products that regularly experience shortages are complex to manufacture and cost pennies on the dollar.  The legislation builds on recommendations from Peters’ prior investigative reports in 2019 and?2023,?which found that generic drug manufacturers’ ability to surge production and store supplies are often limited because they regularly operate at or near full capacity.?

    “Every American should be able to get the medicine they need when they need it.  Increasing domestic and reliable manufacturing capacity for our critical, lifesaving medications is essential to addressing drug shortages that can compromise patient care,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill will help ensure Americans receive the essential medications they need while strengthening our ability to respond to future public health crises.”   

    “The United States faces a national security threat from its overreliance on Communist China for vital drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients,” said Senator Blackburn. “We must boost domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and help sustain sufficient reserves of medications. The RAPID Reserve Act would ensure Americans will always have access to the medication they need.”  

    “While we’ve taken a lot of steps to increase domestic manufacturing of critical medicines and key ingredients, we still have more to do,” said Senator Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation would reduce our reliance on foreign countries, encourage drug manufacturers to increase domestic production, and help prevent drug shortages.”  

    “For far too long, America has faced a drug shortage that not only threatens patients’ health but poses a national security risk by forcing us to rely on Communist China’s supply chains for essential medications,” said Senator Budd. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan RAPID Reserve Act to bring drug manufacturing back to the U.S., prioritize sufficient medication reserves, and support increased production in emergencies to reliably meet patient demand.”  

    The RAPID Reserve Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award contracts to quality manufacturers of critical generic drug products who are based in the United States or in a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in order to maintain reserves of critical medications and their key ingredients while building the capacity to surge production when needed.  Through these contracts, which would prioritize domestic manufacturers, the RAPID Reserve Act would help strengthen vulnerable supply chains by ensuring that when there is a disruption in supply, manufacturers can draw on reserves and surge production to meet demand.    

    Senators Peters, Blackburn, Budd, and Kaine have also sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting the agency examine underutilized domestic manufacturing capacity and federal efforts to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities.  

    The RAPID Reserve Act is supported by the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), and Phlow.  Below are quotes in support of the senators’ legislation:     

    “Getting the right treatment at the right time is an essential part of achieving the best possible outcome for anyone with a cancer diagnosis” said Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Board Chair Eric P. Winer, MD, FASCO. “ASCO supports the RAPID Reserve Act, because it would take steps to ensure that critical cancer drug treatments are available when our patients need them.”   

    “ASHP strongly supports the RAPID Reserve Act. By establishing reserves of both active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished products, the legislation creates greater resiliency in the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain and reduces the harmful impacts of shortages on patient care,” said Tom Kraus, Vice President of ASHP Government Relations.??  

    “?HDA is pleased to support the RAPID Reserve Act. This bill is an important step forward in supply chain resilience. By creating solutions that build more capacity and redundancy in the system, the nation will be more prepared for disasters and disease outbreaks in the future.” – Nicolette Louissaint, PhD, Chief Policy Officer, Healthcare Distribution Alliance  

    “Americans must have reliable access to critical essential medicines and the ingredients to make them, produced right here on U.S. soil. This access is not merely a convenience; it’s a national imperative to safeguard public health in the face of future public health emergencies, trade disruptions, conflicts with adversarial nations, or natural disasters. This bill represents a vital and long-overdue first step toward building a resilient, secure domestic pharmaceutical industrial base, one that will finally put an end to the persistent shortages of essential medicines that have long jeopardized the healthcare of every American,” said Dr. Eric Edwards, CEO and Founder of Phlow Corp.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opens today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opens today

    The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), opened today (June 13) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), launching over 280 events to be held from June to September.

    In a video speech addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said that the Government will fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle to promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture globally and ride on Hong Kong’s international network in telling good stories of China to the world. Mr Lee pointed out that an important strategic direction featured in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, published by the Government last year, is on the promotion of the profound traditional Chinese culture. He is confident that the Chinese Culture Festival will become an annual signature cultural event in Hong Kong, presenting the rich and vibrant Chinese culture to audiences through innovative approaches. He said that the Government will continue to promote the essence of Chinese culture to citizens of Hong Kong and visitors from overseas and the Mainland, with a view to achieving “shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism” and fostering the integration and mutual reinforcement of culture and tourism.

    Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Wang Songmiao; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Li Shuguang; the Chairperson of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee and Legislative Council Member, Dr Starry Lee; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.

    The opening programme of this year’s CCF staged tonight is a contemporary dance performance “Dongpo: Life in Poems”, which is sponsored by the Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch and performed by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group. Directed by internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei, the production is inspired by the poetry and life of Su Dongpo, a literary master in the Song dynasty. It revolves 12 of Su’s poems that epitomise the poet’s life philosophy, while reinterpreting Su’s multifaceted legacy through contemporary dance. The production deeply integrates various fine traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, guqin, Chinese opera and martial arts. By merging “cognitive essence” and “aesthetic realm”, this approach is designed to transcend linguistic barriers, allowing audiences to explore Su’s spiritual world through a contemporary lens. The audience gave rounds of warm applause for the splendid performance by main cast performers Su Peng and Liu Jie, outstanding young dancers from the China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe and the Meishan Song and Dance Theatre, as well as for guqin virtuoso and Professor of the Central Conservatory of Music Zhao Xiaoxia.

    The programme also featured an open rehearsal under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” this afternoon at the Grand Theatre of the HKCC. Close to 400 primary and secondary school students and teachers as well as members of the community were invited to attend, free of charge. This session enabled them to appreciate the humanistic emotions conveyed in Su’s poetry and embark on an artistic journey where “poetry embodies dance and dance incorporates poetry” in appreciating the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.

    The thematic exhibition on “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is currently being held at the Foyer of the HKCC. Apart from introducing the concept and structure of the production, the exhibition also presents Shen’s research notes and design sketches created during the creative process through photographs. Three paintings by Shen that were displayed on stage during the performance are featured in the exhibition. The exhibition will run until tomorrow (June 14). Admission is free and members of the public are welcome to visit.

    The CCF aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

    Ends/Friday, June 13, 2025
    Issued at HKT 22:20

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: June 13th, 2025 Heinrich’s ‘Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act’ Heads to the White House

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced that his Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs, under the Controlled Substances Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Heinrich introduced the HALT Fentanyl Act in January with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Heinrich announced passage of his bill in the U.S. Senate in March. The legislation now heads to the White House to be signed into law.

    This permanent scheduling will give law enforcement added tools to help get extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets, dismantle organized criminal trafficking operations, and keep New Mexicans safe.

    “I’m pleased that my HALT Fentanyl Act passed both chambers of Congress and is headed to the White House to be signed into law,” said Heinrich. “I urge the president to immediately sign the HALT Fentanyl Act, which is urgently needed to help our law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking and allow prosecutors to build stronger, longer-term criminal cases. I will never stop fighting to deliver the resources to get deadly fentanyl out of our communities and save lives.”

    The HALT Fentanyl Act is endorsed by the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors Association, the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, and the National District Attorneys Association, as well as state and local law enforcement across New Mexico.

    “Fentanyl has negatively impacted the city of Las Cruces in significant ways. In the past five years, we have experienced a substantial increase in crime, homelessness, and quality of life issues. I firmly believe fentanyl has been the biggest driver of these issues. It is time to take meaningful action to reverse the harm caused by this illicit substance,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department.

    “Like any illegal substance, whether it be opioids or fentanyl use, there are no easy or quick solutions and often combatting their abuse requires a multi-layered approach. The HALT Fentanyl Act is just that, which is why I fully support it. We may be inclined to not concern ourselves with research, for example, but those trafficking in this market do concern themselves with research. Let us endorse this bigger picture approach to help combat fentanyl use in our country,” said Kim Stewart, Doña Ana County Sheriff.

    “The HALT Fentanyl Act is another tool to go after transnational gangs and help make our community safer. Legislation is key for law enforcement to do their job,” said John Allen, Bernalillo County Sheriff.

    Background:

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 107,543 overdose deaths in the United States in 2023. Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances accounted for nearly 75,000 of those deaths. Since 1999, the overdose crisis has increasingly been characterized by deaths involving these illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl-related substances (FRS), which are commonly sold through illicit drug markets for their fentanyl-like effect, and are often mixed with heroin or other drugs, such as cocaine, or pressed in to counterfeit prescription pills. During this same period, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) increased 103-fold. By comparison, overdose deaths involving heroin and prescription opioids increased 2.5-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively.

    Traffickers are continually altering the chemical structure of fentanyl to evade regulation and prosecution, sometimes with tragic results. Since 2013, China has been the principal source of fentanyl, fentanyl-related substances, and the precursor chemicals from which they are produced. Chinese product is commonly shipped to Mexico and smuggled into the United States’ illicit drug market via U.S. citizens. Traffickers have favored fentanyl-related substances to skirt around committing the crime of trafficking fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized nearly 12,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl, including fentanyl powder and more than 78 million pills laced with illicit fentanyl. The 2023 seizures were equivalent to more than 388.8 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

    In 2018, as an initial response to this unprecedented crisis, the DEA issued a temporary scheduling order that placed FRS in Schedule I, under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), after classifying it as an imminent hazard to public safety. Previously, Congress has only closed this loophole temporarily by designating fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. Congress has extended the FRS temporary scheduling order several times, most recently on December 21, 2024, with a measure that expires on March 31, 2025.

    Heinrich’s HALT Fentanyl Act will finally make permanent the scheduling of illicitly produced fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and streamline the regulatory process for scientists seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research Schedule I substances.

    Clear and Enforceable Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Trafficking:

    A permanent scheduling of FRS is necessary to make penalties for criminals clear and enforceable under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), reducing the supply and availability of illicitly manufactured FRS. The HALT Fentanyl Act places controls and penalties on FRS that have no accepted medical use and a high abuse potential.

    Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently impose the following quantity-based federal trafficking penalties on FRS:

    Mandatory minimum penalties: 5 years for 10 grams or more (10 years for second offense); and 10 years for 100 grams or more (20 years for second offense).

    Discretionary maximum penalties: 40 years for 10 grams or more (life for second offense); and life for 100 grams or more.

    Expanded Scientific and Medical Research:

    More closely aligning the research and registration process for Schedule I substances, including FRS, with Schedule II substances will facilitate increased FRS research. By accommodating more medical research into fentanyl-related substances, the bill will establish a new, streamlined registration process for research funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or under an Investigative New Drug (IND) exemption from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will enhance our understanding of these illicitly manufactured substances by:

    • Allowing researchers in the same institution to participate in multiple scientific studies.
    • Permitting researchers with ongoing studies to examine newly added Schedule I substances.
    • Allowing researchers to manufacture small quantities of FRS without a separate registration.

    The text of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.

    A section-by-section summary of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Explosions heard at airbase in Hamadan province in western Iran – local media

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) — A loud and “terrifying” sound was heard near Shahid Nojeh Air Base in Kebudraheng area of western Iran’s Hamedan Province amid heightened tensions following Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency reported on Friday.

    Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported the death of the formation’s aerospace division commander Amir-Ali Hajizadeh along with several members of his unit in what it said was a “terrorist” attack by Israel earlier in the day, the IRGC’s official news outlet Sepah News reported.

    Mehr’s report also said Iranian fighter jets were spotted flying over the northeastern city of Mashhad, but authorities have not yet issued any official statements explaining the flights. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran’s President Promises ‘Powerful’ Response to Israeli Strikes

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed on Friday that Iran would give a “legitimate and strong” response to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory earlier in the day.

    He made the announcement in a statement on the presidential office’s website in connection with the deadly Israeli strikes on various areas of Tehran and other cities in the country.

    M. Pezeshkian stressed that the Iranian people and the country’s authorities will not remain silent in the face of “Israel’s crime,” adding that the Islamic Republic’s response will make Israel “regret its stupid actions.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi urges hard work to build strong China as CPC marks 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun 2025-06-14 00:38:20 Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for learning from veteran leader Chen Yun and carrying forward his legacy with an enterprising spirit and hard work to build China into a strong country.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a meeting held to mark the 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/Xinhua)

    BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for learning from veteran leader Chen Yun and carrying forward his legacy with an enterprising spirit and hard work to build China into a strong country.

    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a meeting held in the Great Hall of the People to mark the 120th anniversary of Chen’s birth.

    Chen was recognized as a great proletarian revolutionary and statesman, and as one of the founding figures of the country’s socialist economy. He was a key member of both the Party’s first generation of central collective leadership with Mao Zedong at the core and the second generation of central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping at the core, according to Xi.

    At the meeting, Xi recalled Chen’s glorious life, hailing him as “a tested, distinguished Party and state leader,” who had made significant contributions to the cause of the Party and the people.

    Xi encouraged Party members to learn from Chen’s lofty spirit and qualities, urging them to remain steadfast in their ideals and convictions, bolster their confidence in success, and maintain political resolve in a complex environment full of turbulence and change.

    Xi further underlined the significance of learning from Chen’s wealth of leadership expertise and striving to enhance the Party’s capacity for leading economic and social development as well as its self-building competence.

    He emphasized the importance of enhancing the Party’s leadership over economic work and deepening the understanding of the laws governing socialist economic development.

    “It is important to comprehensively deepen reform at a swift and steady pace, and to remain steadfast in pursuing higher-standard opening up,” he said.

    Xi also praised Chen for his adherence to the principle of seeking truth from facts and for viewing research and studies as a vital prerequisite for decision-making.

    He urged CPC members to adopt this scientific methodology in thinking and working, make sound assessments of situations, plan effectively for the future, and improve their research and studies, so they can make decisions that better reflect reality and meet the people’s expectations.

    Chen was born in 1905 and joined the Party in 1925. He died of illness in 1995 at the age of 90.

    Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

    Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. 

    A meeting is held to mark the 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2025. Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

    MIL OSI China News –